Introducing U: Rachel Sorkenn
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – After multiple years as a commit, River Edge, N.J., native Rachel Sorkenn is finally a member of the University of Miami soccer team.
The 5-foot-6-inch freshman forward out of River Dell Regional High School spoke with HurricaneSports.com about the start of her Miami tenure, her future at The U and more . . .
Q: First off, you have been at Miami for about three weeks now. How has the experience been thus far?
A: It’s been awesome. I was nervous at first. I thought I was going to miss home, but having a schedule with training and classes, I kind of got used to it pretty fast. The older girls have been great to us, so that’s good. The training is hard, but I expected worse, so that’s good, [as well]. The classes are manageable, I’d say.
Q: What has been your favorite part?
A: Probably being able to train with the older girls because we’re getting used to working with them, so when the season comes we won’t be new to it. So, that’s probably my favorite part so far.
Q: You mentioned some of the older girls who have been around. Has anyone in particular been there to help show you and the other freshmen around and help get you acclimated?
A: I was close with Lexi [Castellano] before I got here and she’s in our dorm, so she kind of showed us around. She drives us to [the field] every morning. Niccola [Venezia], she’s been good to talk to. She has helped us. Then, Ronnie [Johnson], of course. She kind of helped us the first week to get acclimated to everything.
Q: As a player, what would you say your main strengths are?
A: Probably shooting, scoring goals and turning off defenders. I like to get the ball off my feet quickly. So, I don’t really dribble that much. I just get the ball, try to pass it off, turn, try to look for it again and get a shot off.
Q: What do you think you need to work on the most?
A: Probably communication and using my left foot more. I’m really dependent on my right foot.
Q: Have you decided what you want to major in and, if so, how did you make that decision?
A: Exercise physiology because I’ve hurt a lot before so I’ve been in physical therapy a lot. So, I kind of learned a lot and I took anatomy in high school, which I loved. I like learning about the body and the muscles and stuff like that.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your UM career?
A: Well, I never thought this time would come, that I’d be on the team. So, I’m really looking forward to the season, to see what that’s like. Being a student-athlete, managing my classes and soccer, I’m looking forward to that. I’m also looking forward to making connections with people in the same field as I am when I’m taking classes in exercise physiology.
Q: What do you think it will be like the first time you take the field for a match?
A: I think I’ll be nervous, but if I do something good, that kind of gets me started and I feel comfortable. So, hopefully [that happens]. Obviously, I’m going to be nervous the whole time, but once I get on the field and make a good pass or something, I’ll probably feel confident and I’ll just work my way into it.
Q: When you think back on it, what made you decide that UM was the school for you?
A: Well, UM was kind of my dream school and I started looking here my freshman year, so I didn’t really look anywhere else. I got offered my sophomore year . . . When I came here the first time, I basically fell in love. I just felt something; it clicked. The coaches are outstanding, so I was really excited for that. It’s a really competitive conference we play in and it’s great because the academics are awesome, too.
To keep up with the University of Miami soccer team on social media, follow @CanesFutbol on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
